“Both Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera have muscle problems and will be out for three to four weeks,” said the Spaniard. “It depends on each player, but for Riera this is the second time with this injury.

“We will have to wait and see how they progress but hopefully in three weeks they could be available. Both players are wingers and for them to be out at the same time is bad news for us.

“Glen Johnson’s was a strange situation because he finished the game on Monday and then travelled to London to be with England.

“He felt something in his hamstring and came back to us for a scan. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he could be available again in a week.”

Denmark centre-back Daniel Agger also withdrew from international duty, but Liverpool are hopeful his back injury will have cleared up in time for the visit of Manchester City on Saturday week.

And Fernando Torres is expected to resume running shortly as he recovers from an ongoing groin complaint.

“With Fernando Torres we are talking about two or three weeks of treatment and working with the physios,” said Benitez. “I was talking with him this morning and he is doing well. Hopefully he can be running in a few days and we will see how he progresses.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Ayala has signed an extension to his current Liverpool contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2012.

The 19-year-old centre-back made his senior debut as a substitute on the opening day of the season away to Tottenham Hotspur, and has since chalked up two further appearances.

Liverpool’s reserve fixture at Wigan Athletic has been put back a day and will now take place on Wednesday, November 25 with a 7.30pm kick-off.